In the 39th minute Liverpool finally get the breakthough they've been looking for after Vergini hacks down Luis Suarez on the edge of the D. Captain Steven Gerrard thwacks a free-kick that's too strong for Mannone to keep out. Half-time score: Liverpool 1-0 Sunderland

Just three minutes into the second half Daniel Sturridge extends Liverpool's lead when he curls one in from just inside the area via a deflection off Wes Brown. That goal means that Sturridge as well as Suarez have moved past the 20+ goals in a season mark, and it's the first time in over 50 years that a pair of Liverpoool strikers have done that. The last pairing was Roger Hunt and Ian St John

There's a nervy last 15 minutes ahead for the home fans after Sunderland's Sung-Yeung Ki pulls one back for the visitors. A corner from the right evades the entire Liverpool defence and Ki is on hand inside the six yard box to gently guide a header into an empty net

Liverpool weather the storm and the final whistle goes to give them an important victory, with boss Brendna Rodgers. It's their seventh win on the trot and puts them second in the table, just one point behind leaders Chelsea. Final score: Liverpool 2-1 Sunderland